Torpedo casing



June 16, 1959 J. E. LE FRANCOIS 2,890,670

TORPEDO CASING FiledJuly 17, 1957 FIG. 3

. JOHN E. LEFRANCOI$ I IN V EN TOR.

2,890,670 TORPEDO CASING John E. Le Francois, Lemont, Pa., assignor, by inesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Application July 17, 1957, Serial No. 672,528

4 Claims. (Cl. 114-22) This invention relates to casings for torpedoes and the like used in naval warfare.

It has been the practice heretofore to fabricate torpedo casings of a number of cylindrical sections and a conical tail cone. Each section is generally comprised of sheet steel or cast aluminum and the like and mounting means for internally carried torpedo components are provided as an integral part of the casing or are welded to each casing. The components carried in torpedoes, such as detection systems, control systems, and miscellaneous hardware, are carried by, but generally acoustically isolated from, the casing to reduce transmission of selfnoise from and/ or through the casing. Due to the fact that each such component can be acoustically isolated from the casing at only one point, i.e., between the component and the casing, the degree of isolation or reduction of detectable self-noise is substantially limited.

The use of a plurality of separable cylindrical sections as described hereinabove is also subject to other inherent disadvantages. Since the connection of one section to another must be watertight, the sections are generally difiicult to assemble and to separate and the failure of such connections quite often result in failure or malfunctioning of the torpedo. A plurality of such connections also produces a rough and hydrodynamically noisy exterior. A further disadvantage is that all electrical cables and all plumbing must be provided with an additional length and must be made separable at each section to allow the separation of one section from another. Still further, a large portion of the internal equipment of the torpedo is not readily accessible even when the sections are separated thereby necessitating the removal of other equipment to gain access to specific pieces of equipment for service, repair or replacement.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of the present invention to provide a torpedo casing that is less complicated and requires less time than heretofore to assemble and disassemble.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a construction for torpedo casings that allows maximum equipment accessibility and substantially reduces the time necessary for maintenance.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a torpedo casing that will allow a reduction of the length and the number of electrical, mechanical and hydraulic connections in a torpedo thereby realizing a simplification in the construction of the torpedo and a reduction in weight.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a construction for torpedo casings that will allow a reduction in the transmission of self-noise through the casing or from one part of the torpedo to another part.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a torpedo casing that substantially reduces the possibility of leakage and that provides a substantially smooth continuous exterior surface.

These and other objects and features of the invention,

2 together with their incident advantages, will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a completely assembled torpedo casing. V

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a torpedo casing with a portion of the shell broken away and shown in phantom.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the front portion of the torpedo casing.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on lines; 4-4 of Figure 2. T

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the torpedo casing is provided with a tail cone 9 of conventional design and construction and adapted to contain a propulsion motor (not shown) for driving a propeller 10 and control means (not shown) for operating the control surfaces 11 carried on the external rear portion of the tail cone 9. Extending forwardly from the tail cone is an open framework 12 comprising a plurality of circular section members 13 disposed forwardly of the tail cone 9 and concentric therewith and suitably braced or connected as by welding or the like by longitudinal stringers 14 which are uniformly spaced in suflicient numbers to insure'rigidity of the whole framework 12.

The circular section members 13 are preferably annular or ring shaped to reduce the weight of the framework although it is to be understood that circular plates may be used as section members as may be required for the mounting of internal torpedo components. Conventional structural design methods may be used to determine the composition and number of components comprising the framework 12 since the number and size will be substantially dictated by the weight and location of the components and framework 12 must support.

The rear portion of the longitudinal stringers 14 are preferably attached to the inner forward periphery 15 of the tail cone 9 as by welding or the like at 20 such that the maximum outer periphery of the framework is less than the internal diameter of the shellas described more thoroughly hereinbelow. 1

An acoustic transducer 16 having a longitudinally disposed annular surface 17 adapted to receive an 0 ring 18 is rigidly carried by the extreme forward portion of the framework as by a solid circular plate 19. As shown in Figure 3, the acoustic transducer 16 may be provided with a working face 21 in watertight sealing relationship with the longitudinal annular surface 17 and disposed concentric about the longitudinal axis of the torpedo. Although a relatively small acoustic transducer is shown it is to be understood that the transducer may have a diameter substantially equal to that of the framework.

A cylindrical tubular housing or shell 22 circumscribes and encloses the framework 12 to provide a watertight and protective covering. As best shown in Figure 3 and in Figure 4, the shell 22 is of such length and construction as to be in spaced relationship at all points from the framework 12 and of such construction as to withstand the external pressures and forces to which it may be subjected. Additional rigidity of the framework 12 is provided by the connection of the shell 22 to the tail cone 9 and the watertight mating relationship of the nose portion 23 of the shell and the acoustic transducer. As shown in Figure 3, the shell is provided with a concentric circular passage 24 formed by a rearwardly extending annular wall 25 having a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the acoustic transducer and adapted for operative engagement with the 0 ring 18 carried by the acoustic transducer whereby a watertight seal is obtained and the forward portion of the framework is supported through the acoustic transducer 16, by the shell 22. Radial ribs 30 are provided to reinforce wall25. H H

As shown in Figure 4, the forward periphery 15 of the tail cone 9 is provided with a rearward annular groove 26 and an open ended forward annular groove 27 having a reduced diameter and adapted to receive an O ring 28. Disposed between the grooves 26-47 is an annular ring 29 having a fiat transverse front surface 31 forming the rear surface of the forward groove 27 and a forwardly tapered rear surface 32 forming the front surface of the rear annular groove 26 and of a diameter less than the maximum outer diameter of the tail cone. The rear periphery of the shell 22 is provided with an internal surface 33 adapted for operative and sealing engagement with the O ring 28. A groove 34 and an annular ring 35 substantially identical to the rearward groove 26 and ring 29 of the tail cone 9 is provided on the outer rear periphery of the shell 22.

A bifurcated or split locking band 36 having a continuous wedge shaped centrally located internal groove 37 to receive the rings 3529 when in abutting relationship as shown in Figure 4, is of such a thickness that when placed in position it will form a part of the continuous smooth outer surface of the torpedo and hold the shell 2'2 and tail cone 9 in rigid abutting relationship. When the split locking band 36 is drawn together as by bolts 38 or the like, the wedge action of the locking band groove 37 forces the rings 35-29 into abutting relationship.

Access to all internal torpedo components for substantially the entire length of the torpedo is easily and quickly secured by removing the locking band 36 and sliding the shell forwardly to uncover all or part of the framework as may be required or desired.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiment it is realized that modifications may be made, and it is desired that it be understood that no limitations on the invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

Having now disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A casing for a torpedo comprising: a tapered tail cone having a substantially circular forward portion; an open framework rigidly connected to said forward portion and having an outer diameter less than that of said forward portion; an annular surface carried by the extreme forward end of said framework; and an annular shell having a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion being adapted for watertight sealing engagement with said annular surface, said rear portion being adapted for detachable watertight sealing engagement with said tapered rear portion whereby said shell removably covers said framework and is disposed away from said framework over substantially its entire length.

2. In a torpedo casing the combination comprising: a tail cone having a circularforward periphery; an open framework rigidly connected to said tail cone forward periphery; an acoustic transducer mounted on the forward end of said framework, said transducer having an annular surface; an annular shell having a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion being adapted for watertight sealing engagement with said annular surface, said rear portion being adapted for detachable Watertight sealing engagement with said tapered rear portion whereby said shell removably covers said framework and is disposed away from said framework over substantially its entire length.

3. In a torpedo casing the combination comprising: a tail cone ha ving circular forward periphery; a forwardly extending open framework rigidly connected to said tail cone, said framework being comprised of a plurality of longitudinally disposed stringers and means to hold said stringers in rigid spaced relationship one with another, said stringers and support means rendering said framework substantially non-flexible and providing a means for removably supporting torpedo components; an acoustic transducer having an annular surface mounted on the front end of said framework; and an annular shell having a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion being adapted for watertight sealing engagement with said annular surface, and said rear portion being adapted for detachable Watertight sealing engagement with said tapered rear portion whereby said shell is disposed away from and removably covers said framework.

4. In a torpedo body having a front portion, a cylindrical middle portion and a tail cone containing propulsion means and controlmeans the combination comprising: a forwardly extending open framework rigidly connected to said tail cone, said framework being comprised of a plurality of longitudinally disposed stringers and means to hold said stringers in rigid spaced relationship one with another, said stringers and support means rendering said framework substantially non-flexible and providing means for removably supporting torpedo components; an acoustic transducer having a first annular surface mounted on the front end of said framework; and an annular shell having a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion having a second annular surface disposed away from and surrounding said first annular surface and adapted for watertight sealing engagement therewith, said rear portion being adapted for detachable watertight sealing engagement with said tail cone whereby said shell is removably disposed away from and sealably covers said framework.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,700,458 Brown Ian. 25, 1955 2,710,458 Reed June 14, 1955 2,761,117 Green Aug. 28, 1956 

